Co-creating by other means in Science and Technology Innovation
Co-creating by other means: bridging the gap between experimentation and policymaking in Science and Technology Innovation
BACKGROUND/HISTORY AND CONTEXT OF THE WORKSHOP
This workshop is grounded within the H2020 project SISCODE aimed at:
i) experimenting co-creation methodologies in policy design for Science and Technology Innovation (STI); ii) understanding the conditions and transformations needed to introduce co-creation in STI policy-making, overcoming barriers and resistance to change.
Because of the involvement of 10 “co-creation labs” (living labs, fab labs and science museums) across Europe, the project has an experimental approach: the labs are engaged (with scientists, stakeholders and end users) in a long-term co-creation process from the phase of understanding a problem and designing a solution, to the phase of implementing it by means of prototypes.
Drawing on the experience gained within SISCODE’s co-creation activities, some of the co-creation labs will be engaged in this workshop to discuss with stakeholders and practitioners their ongoing experimentation, exploring more effective ways to conceive policies that are able to connect policy design with citizens and grassroots initiatives.
MAIN AIM / OBJECTIVE
The main objective of the workshop is to reflect on innovative solutions that aim at bridging the gap between problem framing and implementation of solutions in STI policy-making, using prototypes as enablers. Indeed, prototyping is a core ingredient in co-creation and can be seen either as a key process for developing knowledge and for its appropriation in the field of policy- making. In terms of rationale behind the aim, we recognise that co-creation has a strong potential
in bringing together researchers and practitioners concerned with the involvement of people in processes of development, implementation, and appropriation of technologies and services.
Nevertheless, most attempts to open up science and innovation policies by introducing co-creation seem to be affecting STI governance only at a superficial level. Thus, reflections over the modalities to better connect the phases of idea generation and those of implementation will be at the core of this workshop.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Overall, the workshop aims at empowering the capacity to recognise, frame and face challenges related to co-creation in STI policy-making, with special attention to the possibility to upscale solutions and ideas and connect them with policies. The workshop will be an opportunity for practitioners and researchers from across Europe to meet and discuss co-creation drivers and barriers, comparing visions and ideas that are bound to their diverse backgrounds, cultural specificities and approaches.
Participants can expect to better understand:
i) the mechanisms of co-creation in practice; ii) the connection between co-creation and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI); iii) the role of prototypes in co-creation; and iv) how to bridge small-scale experimentation with policy making.
BRIEF OUTLINE / METHODOLOGY
The workshop is based on a hybrid methodology: after a general introduction to the topic the involved labs will introduce the envisioned solutions to their specific challenges by means of PechaKucha speeches. Participants will then be divided into 4 groups to discuss transversal policy-making challenges and specific ones related to the domains in which the labs are working: healthcare, environment and agriculture.
The discussion will be managed starting from a small set of “open questions”, which will be addressed by each group in a collaborative way, and will proceed asking groups to provide insights and feedback about the prototyping of the envisioned solutions and to discuss the challenges bound to their connection with the broader policy framework.